Meet Shelly: The Penguin Who Carried His Home on His Back

A free amigurumi pattern for a quirky penguin with a secret.

Introduction

I have to share the silliest idea that popped into my head the other day. I was curled up on the sofa, watching a nature show about penguins waddling across the ice, looking so dapper in their little tuxedos. At the same moment, a tiny garden snail was making its slow, determined journey across my patio door. And my brain just went... click. What if a penguin, a creature of the vast, open ice, was secretly a homebody? What if he just wanted to carry a cozy, safe little space with him wherever he went? That's how Shelly was born. He's a little bit shy, a whole lot of sweet, and he’s proof that home is truly what you make it. He's a wonderfully unique friend to crochet, a bit like my Shelly the Serene Turtle pattern, but with a quirky twist all his own. I just know you're going to love bringing him to life.

A Story in a Shell

Why a snail shell, you ask? To me, it’s about the beautiful absurdity of it all. A penguin is all about sleek, fast swimming in chilly waters. A snail is about slow, deliberate movement on land, always protected. Combining them felt like creating a tiny story in yarn form. It’s a story about finding comfort in unexpected places, about being brave enough to be different. Shelly doesn't mind that he’s not the fastest swimmer; he's happy because he has his bright green, spiraled sanctuary with him for every adventure. It’s a reminder that we can all carry our own little piece of comfort with us.

Gathering Your Cozy Materials

To get started on your own Shelly, you'll want to gather a few of your favorite things. I dove into my yarn stash for this one. A soft worsted weight is perfect. You'll need a classic penguin palette: a deep black and a clean, snowy white. Then, a little pop of bright orange for his beak and feet – it just makes him look so cheerful! The real star, of course, is the shell. I chose a vibrant, grassy green because it felt so full of life. You’ll also need your trusty 3.5mm hook (the one that feels just right in your hand, you know?), some little 6mm safety eyes that give him that sweet, curious expression, and a good amount of soft fiberfill to make him perfectly huggable. It's a similar toolset to what you'd use for my friend Henri the French Rooster, so you might already have everything you need!

Pattern

Abbreviations

• R: Round
• mr: Magic Ring
• sc: Single Crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec: Invisible Decrease
• st(s): Stitch(es)
• ch: Chain
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• FO: Fasten Off

Head and Body (start with Black yarn)

1. R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
2. R2: 6 inc (12)
3. R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
5. R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
6. R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
7. R7-12: 36 sc (6 rounds)
8. Change to White yarn for the face patch.
9. R13: 12 sc in black, 12 sc in white, 12 sc in black (36)
10. R14: 11 sc in black, 14 sc in white, 11 sc in black (36)
11. R15: 10 sc in black, 16 sc in white, 10 sc in black (36)
12. Place safety eyes between R13 and R14, about 8 stitches apart within the white section.
13. R16: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
14. R17: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
15. R18: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
16. Start stuffing the head firmly.
17. R19: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
18. Continue with body. Do not fasten off. We're still using black and white.
19. R20: In BLO, (1 sc, inc) x 6 with black yarn (18)
20. R21: (2 sc, inc) x 6, maintaining white tummy patch (approx. 8 white sts) (24)
21. R22: (3 sc, inc) x 6, maintaining white tummy patch (approx. 10 white sts) (30)
22. R23-28: 30 sc, maintaining the white tummy patch (6 rounds)
23. R29: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
24. R30: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
25. Finish stuffing the body firmly.
26. R31: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
27. R32: 6 dec (6)
28. FO, weave tail through remaining stitches and pull tight to close.

Snail Shell (in Bright Green yarn)

1. R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
2. R2: 6 inc (12)
3. R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
5. R5-8: 24 sc (4 rounds)
6. R9: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
7. R10-12: 18 sc (3 rounds)
8. R13: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
9. R14-15: 12 sc (2 rounds)
10. Start stuffing the shell lightly, keeping it squishy.
11. R16: 6 dec (6)
12. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. To create the spiral, use the tail to stitch through the center of the rounds, pulling gently to create the swirl effect on the outside. Secure with a knot.

Flippers (make 2, in Black yarn)

1. R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
2. R2: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
3. R3-5: 9 sc (3 rounds)
4. R6: (1 sc, dec) x 3 (6)
5. Do not stuff. Flatten and sc through both layers to close. FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

Feet (make 2, in Orange yarn)

1. R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
2. R2: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
3. R3-4: 9 sc (2 rounds)
4. Do not stuff. Flatten. FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

Beak (in Orange yarn)

1. R1: 4 sc in mr (4)
2. R2: (1 sc, inc) x 2 (6)
3. R3: 6 sc (6)
4. FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

Assembly

1. Sew the beak to the center of the face, right below the eyes in the white section.
2. Attach the flippers to the sides of the body, around R21-R22.
3. Sew the feet to the bottom front of the body, pointing slightly outwards for stability.
4. Position the snail shell on Shelly's back. I like to angle it slightly for a more playful look. Use the long tail to sew it securely to the body.
5. Weave in any remaining ends. Give Shelly a gentle squeeze to shape him, and he's ready for his adventures!

Pro Tips

• The invisible decrease is your best friend for amigurumi! It makes the decreases blend in so much better, giving you a smooth, professional finish.
• When doing the color changes for the face and tummy, try to carry the unused yarn along the inside. This avoids having too many ends to weave in later.
• Don't overstuff the snail shell! You want it to be firm enough to hold its shape, but light enough that it doesn't make Shelly fall backwards.
• If you're new to amigurumi, don't be afraid to take your time. Getting the basics right is key, and if you ever get stuck, my guide on how to read crochet patterns can be a huge help!

About the Author

My name is Clara Miliano, and I believe yarn is a special kind of magic. From my cozy little craft corner, I love to dream up whimsical friends who tell a story with every stitch.